Scam alert over rogue traders claiming to be ‘working with the council’

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Scam alert over rogue traders claiming to be ‘working with the council’

North Norfolk District Council warns residents not to be taken in by cowboy traders asking to check their roofs

Date published: 9th October 2017

Householders are being advised to beware of rogue traders who are offering roof-insulation checks and claiming it is all part of a free government scheme.

North Norfolk District Council has been contacted by residents checking the validity of claims made by these doorstep canvassers. One elderly gentleman reported that he had been told it was a free government incentive being rolled out by local councils.

However, neither North Norfolk District Council nor Norfolk County Council have any ties to these tradesmen and are not involved with any such schemes.

The callers try to make an appointment to climb on to the roof in order to check the health of tiles and insulation. But this is a well-known scam by rogue traders who target vulnerable residents and then try to con them out of large sums of money for unnecessary work. Sometimes, these workmen will deliberately cause damage on the roof when they inspect it, and then pressure the householder to pay for it to be repaired.

North Norfolk District Council has received reports that Mundesley is one of the places recently targeted by these traders.

Tom FitzPatrick, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, said: “These callers are preying on vulnerable customers and are incorrectly claiming they are taking part in a council-led scheme. This is not true, and residents should not agree to any appointments with these people.

“Some of these cowboys can be very persuasive but it is important to check out any claims they might make. In this instance, what they are telling householders is untrue.”

Brian Chatten, from Norfolk County Council’s Trading Standards, said: “Our advice is always to be cautious of cold calls - whether received via email, post or telephone - and we strongly recommend not carrying out any transactions based on cold-calling.

“Anyone with any doubts should check with Norfolk Trusted Trader. Advice is always available via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506.”